The New England Conservatory of Music vs American Conservatory Theater
Nestled in the heart of Boston, The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) and American Conservatory Theater (ACT) stand as two prominent institutions dedicated to nurturing artistic talent. NEC, renowned for its exceptional music programs, boasts an acceptance rate of 33%, while ACT, known for its rigorous theater training, maintains a highly selective acceptance rate of 1.8%. Both institutions offer a diverse range of programs, with NEC specializing in classical music, jazz, and contemporary music, and ACT focusing on acting, directing, and stage management. While NEC's student body comprises 70% female and 30% male students, ACT's student population is more evenly distributed, with 52% female and 48% male students. With graduation rates of 85% and 80% respectively, both institutions prioritize supporting their students in achieving their artistic aspirations. To help you make an informed decision about your artistic education, we present a comprehensive comparison of NEC and
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![]() American Conservatory Theater |
![]() The New England Conservatory of Music |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | Boston, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | N/A | 43.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$90
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Undergraduate:
$125
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 952 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 412 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 90 | |
Yield rate | 21.8% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $51,676 | $75,230 |
Average net price | $38,409 | |
Tuition | $30,235 | $52,730 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$12,380
Meal plan:
$5,680
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $23,478 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
37.0%
Average amount $5,014 |
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Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
423
Men 55.1% Women 44.9% |
Graduate students |
13
Men 46.2% Women 53.8% |
404
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity | N/A |
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | N/A | 39.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 256 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | N/A | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 100.0% | 82.6% |
Dropout rate | N/A | 10.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Master's Degrees)
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Music (Master's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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